The Peaceful Families Project: Addressing Domestic Violence in Muslim Communities

Abstract

The Peaceful Families Project (PFP) is a domestic violence prevention organization that was established in response to a critical need in the U.S. Muslim community, which has only begun to openly discuss and tackle issues related to domestic violence in the last 10 to 15 years. The organization utilizes education and training as the primary means of addressing domestic violence in Muslim communities. Although Muslims in the United States are a diverse population, they are united by certain common beliefs and values that can be utilized in domestic violence prevention. Educational materials and programs focus on highlighting teachings and values from within the Islamic paradigm to address attitudes and behaviors among Muslims that may contribute to the occurrence of abuse within the family. Technical assistance and trainings are also offered to mainstream service providers to increase their ability to deliver culturally sensitive and appropriate services to Muslim communities. By targeting individuals, families, Muslim leaders, and mainstream service providers, PFP seeks to create systemic change in an effort to make a real contribution toward ending domestic violence.